AREA CLOTHES MISSION BENEFITS NEW WORKERS

What was a fleeting thought about a month ago has become a real chance to help people enter the workforce and gain independence for Claire Ellinghouse.

Ellinghouse owns Kids Wear Again, a consignment shop that carries children's wear and maternity clothing. She recently got an opportunity to use skills she's gained from her business to help a cause she has always supported.

"It was just a fleeting thought, but between friends, church members and Re-runs, a store downtown, we've really been able to pull this together," she said. "My store has always been a welfare-to-work participant, so I went looking for ways to develop this into something that could help the largest number of people."

The result was the Career Closet, a mission that collects career-oriented uniforms and clothing to give to people entering or re-entering the workforce. Ellinghouse volunteers as the coordinator of the mission, which distributed clothing for the first time last week.

The Career Closet's objective is to collect new or "gently worn career clothing" which is then made available as interview clothing and work apparel for people trying to find jobs.

The Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council collects and stores the clothing.

Clients "earn" their interview outfits by completing pre-employment skills training or achieving other job-related goals. After finding a job, they are supplied with a week's worth of career clothing and are taught how to coordinate it so that it lasts an entire season, said Ellinghouse.

"It's really hard to come from out of the mommy business to the career business," she said. "This gives the client a chance to get on their feet, at least for one season."

Ellinghouse developed the Career Closet because she had seen an attractive young woman who had a poor physical appearance and low self-esteem. It was evident the woman didn't feel good about herself, and confidence helps people get jobs, she said.

"If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you'll project a good self-image," said Ellinghouse. "That's what makes you hirable."

The first recipients of Career Closet clothing were participants in the Jump Start on Jobs pre-employment training program. Some 12 women at last week's five-day program received beauty makeovers and an outfit to wear to scheduled interviews.

All participants said the closet had a good selection of professional apparel and helped them in their preparation for interviews.

"It's going to help a lot," said Jennifer Marriott of Cape Girardeau. "It takes a lot of people that care to send out that type of clothing, even if they're not going to wear it anymore. I know I for one really appreciate it."

Ellinghouse said donations of laundered or clean and pressed men's and women's professional attire are always needed. Shoes, ties, scarves, jewelry or other accessories are also needed.

Donations of new slips, pantyhose, men's dress socks and personal grooming items are also appreciated.

Ellinghouse has already gained from getting the Career Closet opened, and she hopes to see many clients return with clothing donations as they succeed in the workforce. It helps to know someone cares about you, and many people often return the favor to others when they succeed, she said.

Said Ellinghouse: "It's been a lot of fun, and I've received many, many more blessings than I've put out work."